Um yeah really liked this. Grassy and grapefruity finish. Great with veggies and seafood.
Abundant supply right now in philly and across the state.
Fairview Sauvignon Blanc South Africa 2011
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32618
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com: (Avg $11, Min $9, Max $11)
Availability in Pennsylvania:
"Take a bite of the spaghetti. Now drink the wine."
"Oh that's perfect! Just perfect!"
This is part of the PLCB's "restock your cellar" sale. According to PLCB Product Search there's still 12 bottles left.
First of all, why anyone would rather buy a wine with a name like Bitch, Toad, Squirrel Butt, etc. instead of something with a lovely old world name like Pepi Lignana Leopoldino Fattoria il Casalone Maremma is beyond us.
On the other hand, perhaps it's all marketing, and the Europeans are just selling us something different? The Pepi Lignana web site is probably the polar opposite of X Winery: Italian tradition versus California rule breaking; conservative winemaker in a suit versus maverick mixologist. Or, are the Italians (and French and Germans and Spaniards) just doing what they've always done and the new world winemakers need to distinguish themselves instead of trying to compete with centuries of tradition where they can't possibly win?
Who knows, old world versus new world is a never ending debate among the wine geeks. But there's no reason for people to be intimidated by wines with long strings of multiple names in foreign languages, especially when they're priced at $8.99. In our experience of paying closer attention to wine these past two years, the French and Italian wines have had the most consistent quality, even at the modest $15 and under price level. These people have been making wine a long time, they've figured out how to do it.
Names and marketing aside, this is a really nice wine. In the Gruner Veltliner/Pinot Grigio mold, it's soft and refreshing and will pair well with vegetables, seafood, or anything light. It is citrusy but has a nice smooth mouthfeel. At only a little over a dollar a name, it's definitely worth it.
Pepi Lignana Leopoldino Vermentino Maremma 2009
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32435
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:
Availability in Pennsylvania:
Region: Italy > Tuscany > Maremma
Grape Varieties: Vermentino 88%
Viognier 12%
X Winery was created from an MBA project of Reed Renaudin in 2001. The basic idea, described on their web site, is to take grapes from "some of California's top growers," blend them, and then use technology and low production costs to offer quality wine at a value price.
While that may sound like a recipe for plonky bad wine to some, the wines from X Winery receive positive reviews in the Wine Advocate and other wine publications and are touted for their value for the money.
We didn't find any reviews or even any information on the web site for the Chardonnay North Coast 2010, but we found it to be a solid effort, fresh and clean tasting, pleasant Chardonnay mouthfeel, and not overoaked at all. At $8.99 it's a great deal and a perfect wine for mid-week quesadillas.
Rating: 82, or 3 out of 5.
X Winery Chardonnay North Coast 2010
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32426
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com: (Avg $32, Min $32, Max $32)
Availability in Pennsylvania:
Region: USA > California > North Coast
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Alcohol Content: 13.9%
Full-bodied, on the plummy side, spicy finish. Something artificial about it, a hint of suspicion of mega-purple? Still, very good for the price. 85
Vega Murillo Tinta de Toro 2008
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32389
Size: 750ML
Price: $7.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com: (Avg $13, Min $9, Max $16)
Availability in Pennsylvania:
Region: Spain > Castile and León > Toro
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Not buying any wine named after a toad (or a swan, loon, cougar, bear, elk, monkey, llama etc.) is probably a good idea, but we bought this anyway. It was not bad for a critter wine, and a good way for impatient wine drinkers to get an early taste of spring.
Still some left at the Society Hill store.
Toad Hollow Pinot Noir Rosé Eye of the Toad 2010
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32287
Size: 750ML
Price: $7.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com: (Avg $9, Min $8, Max $13)
Availability in Pennsylvania:
Region: USA > California > Sonoma County
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Alcohol Content: 11%
Two really nice Zins. The Wellington is a good deal at $9.99; the Ridge has more depth and a longer finish. The Ridge is better, but not by a lot and costs twice as much.
Wellington Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma 2006
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32285
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:
Availability in Pennsylvania:
Region: USA > California > Sonoma County
Grape Varieties: Zinfandel 94%
Petite Sirah 6%
Alcohol Content: 14%
Ridge Zinfandel York Creek Napa Valley 2007
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 15764
Size: 750ML
Price: $19.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com: (Avg $27, Min $24, Max $32)
Availability in Pennsylvania:
Region: USA > California > Napa Valley > Spring Mountain District
Grape Varieties: Zinfandel 78%
Petite Sirah 22%
Alcohol Content: 14.6%
Light and thin but still very enjoyable and easy to drink. Yes on the white chocolate, a great buy for $7.99. With quinoa, beets and yogurt.
"Light and tangy, with a citrusy edge to the raspberry and white chocolate flavors, lingering on the crisp finish. Drink now through 2015. 3,500 cases imported."
*87 points Wine Spectator, June 30, 2010
Yering Station Pinot Noir Little Yering 2008
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32344
Size: 750ML
Price: $7.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com: (Avg $13, Min $13, Max $14)
Availability in Pennsylvania:
Region: Australia > Victoria > Port Phillip > Yarra Valley
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
This wine is $5.99. Problem is it tastes like it's $5.99. Too strong and boozy. Pass on this one.
Echelon Merlot Central Coast 2008
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32317
Size: 750ML
Price: $5.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com: (Avg $9, Min $8, Max $12)
Availability in Pennsylvania:
| Region: | USA > California > Central Coast |
| Grape Varieties: | Merlot 85% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% |
| Alcohol Content: | 13.8% |
Definitely one of our favorite Cali Pinots - easy price, easy drinking, doesn't get in the way, goes with everything. Deluded Pinot drinkers who like more body and pepper/spice/smoke will be disappointed, but they should really be drinking Shiraz anyway.
This is it right here. We love Castle Rock. Widely available in Philly and the burbs.
Castle Rock Pinot Noir Central Coast 2008
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32252
Size: 750ML
Price: $7.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com: (Avg $9, Min $8, Max $13)
Availability in Pennsylvania:
